Carney Has 14-Point Lead in Poll for His Campaign

Vulnerable Rep. Christopher Carney (D-Pa.) released an internal poll Friday showing him in a solid position for re-election.

The poll, paid for by Carneys campaign, gave him a lead over businessman Chris Hackett (R), 50 percent to 36 percent among 400 likely voters interviewed Sept. 29-Oct. 1. The Momentum Analysis poll had a margin of error of 4.9 percent.

Also according to the survey, Carney has a favorable rating of 51 percent and an unfavorable rating of 24 percent. Among Republicans, which constituted half of the sample, Carney had a 41 percent favorable rating and 33 percent unfavorable rating.

The polling memo also showed Hackett has a name identification of 65 percent, but has a 31 percent approval rating and 34 percent unfavorable rating.

Carney represents one of the most Republican districts in the country, according to past voting trends in the rural northeastern Pennsylvania seat. The freshman Congressman has been targeted by national Republicans since he won the seat over a scandal-embroiled Member in the previous cycle.

Recent independent public polling shows a closer race, but still has given the freshman Congressman the edge. A Lycoming College Polling Institute poll of 460 likely voters Sept. 21-25 gave Carney a 10 point advantage, 46 percent to 36 percent. That poll had a margin of error of 4.6 percent.